#TUC 15 Forward together

It speaks volumes in terms of what we can expect from the press on coverage of the campaign that was agreed yesterday to oppose the Trade Union Bill. Fortunately, a link has already been established by the TUC where you can read more about the progress of this dreadful legislation and how it can be defeated.

 

http://goingtowork.org.uk/trade-union-bill-government-wins-round-two-wha...

 

Yesterday afternoon your National Co Chair Yvonne Pattison did Napo proud with an excellent and at times harrowing description of some real case studies when successfully moving the Composite motion on combatting child abuse and sexual exploitation. This was the second success for Napo whose other composite motion (alongside PCS) asking for the TUC to commission a review of the Electoral system was comfortably carried despite opposition from one or two large unions.

 

Congress concluded today, and the verdict was that we have some big issues to rally around within a markedly changed political climate; but before we ventured back out into the rain, we heard some graphic reports of what is still not right with this country, and how abuses of power such as excessive and unwarranted stop and search tactics by some police forces suggest that institutional racism is alive and out there.

 

Just as worrying, and following on from a fringe meeting last night on the subject, was the revelation that state snooping on trade unionists and their subsequent blacklisting (especially within the construction industry) is still widespread. Sinister stuff for sure, but no sign from this government that they intend to do anything about it any time soon.

 

Trade Union Co-ordinating Group

 

Napo has played an active role in this group since we helped to form it several years ago.

 

It provides us and the other partner unions, with additional opportunities to bring our campaigns to the attention of politicians from all parties. Members will already know how we have forged close ties through the TUCG with MP's such as John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn.

 

Following a special meeting of the TUCG that took place following the close of Congress I will be  providing a full report to the Napo Executive Committee next week about how I now see the relationship between Napo and the TUCG. Meanwhile, our members can be assured that we will as an independent trade union, always seek to promote your interests to as wide a spectrum of political contacts as we possibly can, but it is fair to say that our involvement in the TUCG has obviously attained a greater importance in light of the major political developments that have occurred over the last few days.      

 

Its the job of your elected leaders to use all opportunities to get our issues into the public arena and that's what I intend to continue trying to do, within and outside of this particular grouping.